SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS:

FORMATION, PROPERTIES
AND TECHNOLOGICAL

IMPACT

ACTIVE MATERIAL
The requirement of stringent structure and additional engineering functionality
(sensing, actuation, electromagnetic shielding) leads to production of new
material called multifunctional material.
The multifunctional materials exhibiting sensing and actuation are called active
materials.

SMA
Shape memory alloys are metal alloys that remember their original shapes and
having the ability to return to original shape after being deformed by heating
A class of smart materials

The most effective and widely used alloys are NiTi, CuZnAl, and CuAlNi
SMAs have two stable phases - the high-temperature phase, called austenite and
the low-temperature phase, called martensite

The shape change involves a solid state phase change involving a molecular
rearrangement between Martensite and Austenite
SMA also exhibits superelastic (pseudoelastic) behavior

A BRIEF HISTORY
1932 - A. lander discovers the pseudoelastic properties of Au-Cd alloy.
1949 - Memory effect of Au-Cd reported by Kurdjumov & Kandros.
1967 At Naval Ordance Laboratory, Beuhler discovers shape memory effect in
nickel titanium alloy, Nitinol (Nickel Titanium Naval Ordance Laboratory), which
proved to be a major breakthrough in the field of shape memory alloys.
1970-1980 First reports of nickel-titanium implants being used in medical
applications.
Mid-1990s Memory metals start to become widespread in medicine and soon
move to other applications.

PRINCIPLE
SMAs have two stable phases :
the high-temperature phase, called austenite and
the low-temperature phase, called martensite.

the martensite can be in one of two forms:

twinned
detwinned

A phase transformation which occurs between these two phases upon

heating/cooling is the basis for the unique properties of the SMAs

PRINCIPLE

Athermal reaction with no diffusion.

PRINCIPLE
Upon cooling in the absence of applied load the material transforms from austenite
into twinned martensite. (no observable macroscopic shape change occurs)
Upon heating the material in the martensitic phase, a reverse phase transformation
takes place and as a result the material transforms to austenite.
If mechanical load is applied to the material in the state of twinned martensite (at low
temperature) it is possible to detwin the martensite.
Upon releasing of the load, the material remains deformed. A subsequent heating of
the material to a temperature above the austenite finish temperature (Af) will result in
reverse phase transformation (martensite to austenite) and will lead to complete
shape recovery.
(Af: temperature at which transformation of martensite to austenite is complete )

Detwinned Martensite
(stressed - deformed)

Mf

STRESS

STRESS

PRINCIPLE

Ms

As

Twinned Martensite
(unstressed)
TEMPERATURE

Detwinned Martensite
(stressed - deformed)

Af

Mf
Twinned Martensite
(unstressed)

Ms

As

Af

TEMPERATURE

Austenite
(undeformed)

PRINCIPLE
SMA remembers the shape when it have austenitic structure.
So if we need SMA to remember and regain/recover certain shape, the shape
should be formed when structure is austenite

Reheating the material will result in complete shape recovery

PSEUDOELASTIC BEHAVIOR
Occurs when an alloy is completely in
the Austenite phase

Detwinned Martensite
(stressed)

When the load is increased to a point,

the alloy transitions from the Austenite
phase to the detwinned Martensite
phase

STRESS

Is not dependent on temperature

Once the load is removed, the alloy

returns to the it original Austenite
shape
Rubber like effect

Mf

Ms

As

Af

TEMPERATURE

Austenite

APPLICATIONS
Aeronautics
Wings
Alternatives to hydraulic systems

Medical
Optometry
Self-expandable cardiovascular stent

Piping
Couplings

Robotics
Artificial limbs

APPLICATIONS

Robots can be given a more fluid

movement in joints and limbs

APPLICATIONS

Plane wings with SMA

wires can change shape
by inducing voltages in
them. This can replace
hydraulic and
electromechanical
actuators.

APPLICATIONS

Wires have the ability to flex the robotic muscles according

to electric pulses sent through the wire.

APPLICATIONS
Use of memory alloys for
coupling tubing: A
memory alloy coupling is
expanded
(a) so it fits over the
tubing
(b). When the coupling is
reheated, it shrinks back
to its original diameter
(c), squeezing the tubing
for a tight fit

2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning is a trademark used
herein under license.

APPLICATIONS
Nanomuscles
Surgical instruments

Tissue Spreader
Stents (angioplasty)
Coronary Probe
Brain Spatula

Endoscopy: miniature
zoom device, bending
actuator
Force sensor
Smart skin (wing
turbulence reduction)

APPLICATIONS
The most common commercial application involves the pseudo-elastic property
during its high temperature state.
This includes eye-glasses, cell phone antennas, and so on, which are
experiencing their high temperature state at room temperature.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS
ADVANTAGES
Bio-compatibility
Diverse field of application

Good mechanical properties

DISADVANTAGES
Expensive
Poor fatigue properties

REFERENCE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shape_memory_alloy
http://www.smaterial.com/SMA/sma.html